INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (Jan. 24, 2007) — Firestone Industrial Products Company, LLC (FSIP) has expanded its suspension solutions for motor homes and recreational vehicles with the integration of air springs with shock absorbers and electronic systems.
The new Level-Rite air spring and damper system addresses a market need and technical challenge. Pickups and SUVs equipped with a winch, grill guard, snow plow, or cab-over-camper require a front suspension leveling system. Certain vehicles with front torsion bar suspension have small amounts of available room for traditional leveling accessories. The solution to this opportunity was among the products FSIP featured at the 2006 National RVIA (Recreational Vehicle Industry Association) Trade Show in Louisville in November. The easy-to install, “no drill” Level-Rite kit combines a fully protected air spring with a high-performance Bilstein™ shock absorber.
“After a very extensive testing program and strong demand from our customers, we are excited to introduce the Level-Rite leveling solution,” said Paul Gibson, Product Manager, Ride Rite Division. “Over the last 68 years, Firestone Industrial Products has developed a technology portfolio capable of meeting extremely demanding specifications, and we’re pleased to introduce this first to our friends and customers in the recreational vehicle industry.”
In addition to Level-Rite, FSIP introduced an expansion to its IntelliRide™ system. The IntelliRide air spring system incorporates the latest technology in electronic leveling. It is engineered to optimize air spring performance as it reads and adapts to road, vehicle and driver inputs.
This line has been expanded to include both rear-only (two corner) and front-and-rear (four corner) full air suspension electronic leveling. The products provide multiple-height control and automatic leveling using an electronic control unit (ECU). The ECU interacts with a height sensor to provide three user-programmed heights, campsite leveling, and individual corner control.